Old browser warning

Site look funky?
Your browser is either Internet Explorer (hit refresh (F5) several times due to a bug in Microsoft's code
that we can't work around) or is 10 years old and
standards-based layouts and styling confuse it.
Consider updating. One excellent option is
Mozilla Firefox, versions of which are available for Linux, Mac and Windows. Safari 1.0+ and IE 6.0+ are also supported.

Gauley Fest - Join us in Summersville, WV September 18-20, 2015

posted July 30, 2015

by Carla Miner

Gauley Fest can't happen
without your help! Please consider signing up to
volunteer for two hours (or more) and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team! It's a
fun and easy way for you to be a critical part of an amazing festival that's also AW's
biggest fundraiser.

Protect and Enjoy the Wild Yampa

posted July 29, 2015

by Nathan Fey

American Whitewater firmly believes that you can’t protect what you don’t
know. Colorado’s Yampa River is a prime example of this belief, and after
exploring this river with our
members in May, and participating in the Yampa River Awareness Project with decision makers
from across the water world, we are hard at work protecting one of the Most
Endangered Whitewater Resources in the country.

Hydropower Legislation Update & Action Alert!

posted July 24, 2015

by Megan Hooker

Hydropower
legislation is on the move in Congress and paddler’s voices are needed to protect our
rivers. On July 22nd, the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee introduced
a comprehensive
energy package, and the hydropower provisions
hold many of the same dangerous outcomes for our rivers as the legislation we’ve been
tracking in recent months.
The bill
opens the door for developers to dam and divert our nation’s remaining free-flowing rivers,
and gives preference to hydropower operations over fish, wildlife and recreation values. Two
markups are slated for the week of July 27th.

Colorado Update: NISP Hearings This Week

posted July 20, 2015

by Nathan Fey

As many of you know, the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) is a major transbasin
diversion and reservoir project impacting the health of the Poudre River as it runs through
LaPorte and Fort Collins. This week is the time to make your voice heard at two listening
sessions sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday and Thursday.

The hydropower industry is pushing legislation
that threatens your whitewater. We encourage paddlers to share their personal experience enjoying rivers where hydropower
projects provide recreational flows. We oppose any bill that would undermine the public's
ability to balance hydropower interests with non-power values like recreation, fish and
wildlife.

In Colorado A Gore Canyon Victory, a Glenwood Springs Setback

posted July 16, 2015

by Belinda Griswold

What a week! On Monday, over 90 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Gore Canyon
Whitewater Park on the banks of the Upper Colorado River. The park’s official opening marks
the first applied water rights for recreation on the Colorado River, and as such is a major
victory for paddlers and advocates for the state’s booming river-recreation economy.
Unfortunately, today brought less good news from the Colorado Water Conservation Board on the
propsoed Glenwood Springs Recreational Water Rights.

Virginia Announces New Bridge Access Program

posted July 14, 2015

by Kevin Colburn

Late last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia took a great step forward in enhancing public access
to rivers and streams. Governor Terry McAuliffe signed a memorandum of understanding
that directs three state agencies to work together to
identify new potential public-access projects, particularly at bridge crossings and
roads.American Whitewater applauds the efforts of
Governor McAuliffe to keep Virginia residents and visitors alike connected to the
Commonwealth's outstanding rivers and streams.

Take Action! Protect Kalmiopsis Rivers (OR/CA)

posted July 14, 2015

by Megan Hooker

The
BLM is
considering whether to halt new mining activities for 5 years on roughly 100,000 acres in the
Kalmiopsis region of Southwestern Oregon. This action, known as a "mineral withdrawal,"
would protect wild rivers like Baldface Creek, the Wild and Scenic North Fork Smith, Rough and
Creek and the Wild and Scenic Illinois from the threats of nickel strip mines. These rivers are
not only whitewater gems, but also provide clean drinking water to downstream communities, are
strongholds for salmon, and support the local economy. Paddler's voices from across
the country are needed to support this effort.

Celebrate the designation of Browns Canyon National Monument

posted July 10, 2015

by Nathan Fey

Buena Vista, Colorado - Saturday July 18th, Officials from the Departments of Interior and
Agriculture, along with State leaders and members of Congress, will celebrate the designation of
Browns Canyon National Monument along Colorado's Arkansas River. Please join us!

Eel River and Cache Creek in New National Monument (CA)

posted July 10, 2015

by Kevin Colburn

Earlier today the designation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain
National Monument was announced. The new 330,780 acre National Monument is in Northern California
and contains two whitewater sections of Cache Creek and two sections of the Eel River that offer
some great paddling relatively close to San Francisco. The area also offers outstanding hiking
and other recreational opportunities. This designation should ensure that the
paddling opportunities and the landscape that supports them remain special for generations to
come.

Molalla State Scenic Waterway Public Meeting And Comment Opportunity (OR)

posted July 9, 2015

by Thomas O'Keefe

Last fall the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department solicited input on the designation of a
segment of the Molalla River that includes the Three Bears run as a State Scenic Waterway.
American Whitewater is actively supporting this designation. We encourage the paddling community
to attend the meeting and file comments.

Chetco State Scenic Waterway Public Meeting and Comment Opportunity (OR)

posted July 9, 2015

by Thomas O'Keefe

Last fall the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD) solicited input on the designation of
a segment of the Chetco River that includes the Chetco Gorge as a State Scenic Waterway. American
Whitewater is actively supporting this designation. We encourage the paddling community to attend
the meeting and file comments.

Upper CO Wild and Scenic Alternative Plan gets Federal approval

posted July 9, 2015

by Nathan Fey

Excellent news on the Upper Colorado today with the release of the Record of Decision from both
the Forest Service and
the BLM on our long-worked for
Wild and Scenic Alternative stakeholder plan. Since 2007, the Upper Colorado Wild & Scenic Stakeholder Group has
been working on a plan to protect and enhance a remarkable stretch of the Colorado River’s
mainstem between Kremmling and Glenwood Springs. It’s a truly important stretch of the
Colorado for a variety of users, especially us paddlers, and it’s our goal to balance
permanent protection of the river and flexibility for water users.

Permit for Hydropower Development on Talkeetna River Cancelled (AK)

posted July 8, 2015

by Thomas O'Keefe

This week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cancelled the preliminary permit for the
Talkeetna River Dam Hydroelectric Project effectively putting an end to any immediate plans to
build a 370 foot high dam on the Talkeetna River in the middle of the classic overnight
whitewater run.

Protecting Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands

posted July 6, 2015

by Megan Hooker

The remote and wild landscape of the Owhyee Canyonlands of Southeastern Oregon is complete with
deep red-rock canyons, wild rivers and plenty of opportunities for backcountry recreation. The
region is also a stronghold to over 200 species, and has fascinating geology, unique ecology and
deep history. American Whitewater is part of a
coalition working to permanently protect 2.5 million acres of the Owhyee, and you can learn more
about the region and ways to support our efforts to protect it here!

Upper Methow Recreational Boating Survey (WA)

posted July 6, 2015

by Thomas O'Keefe

The Yakama Nation is currently conducting a survey of recreational boating on the reach of the
Methow River from the Lost River confluence down to the Weeman Bridge. While this reach sees more
limited boating than sections downstream, we know that this reach that includes the community of
Mazama is used for river-based recreation. We encourage paddlers with local knowledge to fill out
the survey.

Congress Introduces Protections for Oregon Rivers

posted July 6, 2015

by Megan Hooker

Congress has taken several important steps recently
to protect cherished whitewater rivers and wild landscapes throughout Oregon. Last week, Oregon
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced the 2015 Oregon Wildlands Act,
proposing to protect the Molalla and Rogue Rivers and Devil's Staircase near the Oregon
Coast. Earlier this year Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR) and Jared Huffman (CA) joined
Senators Wyden and Merkley in introducing the Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon
Protection Act of 2015, which protects the pristine watersheds of Southwestern Oregon from
mining activity.

Kokatat Presents AW's July 2015 Volunteer of the Month!

posted July 6, 2015

by Megan Hooker

American Whitewater recognizes Don Millard as our July 2015 Volunteer of the Month! Don has been
a vital part of maintaining access on the Upper Yough in Friendsville Maryland, helping to
maintain a good relationship with the town and keep access fees low. In recognition of Don's
contributions, he will receive a custom Kokatat X-Jacket. Thanks Don for all you
do!

Annual Report for 2014 Available

posted July 6, 2015

by Mark Singleton

American Whitewater
released our 2014 Annual Report. At the heart of our organization
is our river stewardship program and the understanding that conservation and recreation are
mutually dependent. Time spent paddling forms the basis for a conservation ethic that values
water in rivers. Paddlers understand that you cannot love what you don’t know. It’s
our love of whitewater that makes us fierce defenders of rivers and their flows. This intimate
connection to flowing water has made American Whitewater a force in river stewardship for over 60
years. A strong year, like the one we had in 2014, means that American Whitewater will be around
for a very long time to represent the interests of the whitewater paddling community.

2015 Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign Grant Deadline Extended

posted July 2, 2015

by Mark Singleton

American Whitewater
is extending the grant application deadline for the Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign to August
1st. Back by
popular demand, this program is great way to help your club fund activities that enhance and
promote river stewardship and safety. Funding for this program is provided by the Clif Bar partnership
with American Whitewater. AW affiliate clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250
grants.

Submit Photos for the 2016 AW Calendar This Month!

posted July 1, 2015

by Kevin Colburn

American Whitewater is accepting photos for our 2016 Calendar now through August 1, 2015.
Submitting photos through our online form is simple, and we can't wait to see your best
shots. Thanks to all of our contributors!

Support American Whitewater This Summer!

posted June 1, 2015

by Megan Hooker

Throughout the rest of 2015, American Whitewater will be working hard across the country to
protect and restore the rivers that you love, and ensure that everyone can enjoy them safely. We
can't do this work without your support, and twice each year, we reach
out to you to ask that you become a member, renew your
membership or
consider making a tax-deductible
donation.
Curious about what projects you'd be supporting? Check out our 2015 Summer Appeal to learn more!

Take Action: Hydropower Industry Legislation Hearing May 13th

posted May 8, 2015

by Megan Hooker

On Wednesday, May 13th the House Energy & Commerce
Committee will hold a hearing about the draft "Hydropower Regulatory Modernization"
Act, which proposes to gut important environmental and public interest protections in the Federal
Power Act. These are the very tools that American
Whitewater and our partners have used to put water back in rivers across the country that were
once completely devastated by the impacts of hydropower. If passed, all of the whitewater and
access gains we've made over the last 25+ years could easily become a thing of the past. We
encourage everyone to contact their Representatives and make their voices
heard.

Congress Passes River Conservation Bills

posted December 13, 2014

by Kevin Colburn

In the final days of the 113th Congress, several river conservation measures have been passed
designating significant new Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers in areas vitally
important to the paddling community.

Another Way To Give, American Whitewater Is An Amazon Smile Partner

posted October 1, 2014

by Mark Singleton

Make your online shopping mean something for the
rivers you love. American Whitewater is participating in the Amazon Smile program. With each
purchase through Amazon Smile a small percentage is passed through to American Whitewater
supporting river stewardship.